Resources on David J Lose

David J Lose | Working Preacher

David Lose explores the theme of identity in the story of the demon-possessed man of Luke 8:26-39, reminding us to remember our God-given identity of being a beloved child worthy of love, honor, and respect.

Luke 8:26-39

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Baptism, Identity, Legion, Demoniac

The Value of a Good Question

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose invites us to see that questions are not a sign of weakness or lack of faithfulness, but a way for us to more fully enter Jesus' kingdom.

Mark 8:27-38

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Faith, Doubt, Worship Planning, Sermon

Learning to Be Perfect

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose reflects on one of the more difficult passages to hear: “Turn the other cheek...Love your enemies...Be perfect.” How can preachers encourage people to be the kind of people they are created to be?

Matthew 5:38

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Sermon On The Mount, Forgiveness, Grudge-bearing, Identity

Dogs and the Kingdom of God

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose discusses the interpretive challenges of Jesus' encounter with the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-37). The passage can make us "aware of the unexpected blessing and insight a stranger might bring to us."

Mark 7:24-37

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Hospitality, Diversity, Gospel, Love

The "Adults-Only" Nativity Story

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose describes two versions of the story of the magi (Matthew 2:1-12), both true: the version that focuses on their gifts and adoration, and the version that deals with Herod's fear and resulting violence.

Matthew 2:1-12

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Epiphany, Fear, Incarnation, Gift

All Are Welcome

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose comments on Isaiah 56 and Matthew 15, daring preachers to take the risk of talking openly (and eliciting feedback) about what it means to feel welcome or unwelcome in a congregation.

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Matthew 15

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Hospitality, Community, Foreigner, Stranger

Not Just for Funerals

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose argues that Romans 8:26-39 is not just for funerals as he points out numerous other fears our congregations might have and assures that not even the worst of them keeps us from God's love.

Romans 8:26-39

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Salvation, Security In God, Death, Jesus

Cataract Surgery

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose says that the experience of the tenth leper in Luke 17:11-19 can be seen as cataract surgery. "Ten men are healed, but only one SEES what has happened."

Luke 17:11-19

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Worship, Spiritual Blindness, Blindness, Healing

The story of Lazarus in Four Verbs

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose analyzes Jesus' raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45) in terms of four verbs: Jesus tarried (11:6); Jesus wept (11:35); Jesus said "Come out!" (11:43); and Jesus said "Unbind him!" (11:44).

John 11:1-45

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Preaching, Lazarus, Mary, Martha

Preaching the Anti-King

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose comments on Mark 8:27-38: Jesus' call to his disciples to give up their lives in order to save them reveals the "inverted logic" of the Kingdom of God.

Mark 8:27-38

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Kingdom Of God, Identity, Meaning Of Life

Tell the Truth Twice

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose comments on Mark 6:14-29: Jesus makes no appearance in the story of the beheading of John the Baptist. Tell it like it is--apart from God's promises, this is what we can expect.

Mark 6:14-29

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Culture, Truthfulness, Redemption, John The Baptist

Mark's Gospel and Lent

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose says that the beginning of Mark's Gospel is a perfect entrance to Lent, reminding us that Jesus came into the world's darkness precisely in order to be joined to our brokenness and redeem it.

Mark 1:1-8

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Lent, Suffering, Redemption

Trust and Temptation

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose argues that a sermon on temptation need not be either titillating or boring to be helpful. Rather, it needs to be both honest and realistic--just the thing people need and want to hear.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

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Faith, Fear, Temptation, Trust

Get Off the Couch and Into the Game!

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose unpacks power dynamics of the burning bush episode, pointing out that God doesn’t reveal the divine character in a name, but by inviting Moses into a lifelong active relationship.

Exodus 3

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Burning Bush, Tetragrammaton, Yahweh, Moses

The Oddest Christmas Carol

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose considers the opening words to Simeon’s song in Luke 2:29, concluding that in these words Simeon accepts death because he is confident in God’s promised salvation—a promise he holds in his hands.

Luke 2:21-35

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Dying And Rising With Christ, Faith, Advent, Immanuel

He Came Down

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose invites us to understand the Transfiguration not only as a time when Jesus revealed his glory, but also as one when he came down from the mountain into our brokenness, fear, disappointment, and loss.

Mark 9:2-13

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Transfiguration, Epiphany, Divinity Of Christ, Jesus Christ's Humanity

Called and Commissioned to Be Salt and Light

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose shares his insights on Matthew 5:13-20, encouraging pastors to think creatively about how to match up the gifts of the congregation with the needs of the community.

Matthew 5:13-20

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Sermon On The Mount, Matthew, Sermon, Lectionary

The Butterfly Effect

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose comments on the work of Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus), pointing out how little acts of faithfulness have the (sometimes unseen or unexpected) power to change the world.

Exodus 1:8-22, 2:1-10

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Good Works, Calling/vocation, Daily Living, Courage

John, Jesus, and the Alpha Male

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose's commentary on John 1:6-8,19-28 considers the expectations cultures—both Jesus’ culture and ours—place on leaders. Jesus contradicts those expectations to reveal the leadership of the suffering servant.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

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Advent, Service, Calling/vocation, Identity

"Do Not Be Afraid"

David J Lose | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Lose suggests that Jesus' words to the disciples at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), "Do not be afraid," are "among the most important words not just in this passage, but in the whole of Scripture."

Matthew 17:1-9

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Transfiguration, Courage, Resurrection, Fear